Bengaluru: Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman has become an inspiration for many in the country. A hair designer in Bengaluru has taken inspiration from him and gave over 650 people a similar look of the IAF pilot free of cost.
Abhinandan shot down an F16 aircraft of Pakistan in a dogfight before ejecting from his MIG 21 Bison. He was held captive by the Pakistan but remained calm and composed while being questioned by his captors, the video of which was circulated by the media.
“Considering the popularity of our proud soldier, we decided to give free ‘Abhinandan Cut’ to all for a day at my salon and spa,” hair designer Nanesh Thakur of Nanesh Hair Salon & Spa told PTIÂ yesterday.
By offering the ‘cut’, I will be instilling patriotism among the youth, which will motivate them to choose a career in the defence services. Overnight, the pilot became a ‘cult figure’ as he shot down an F-16 belonging to Pakistan.
In the course of the dogfight, his plane too was hit, but he ejected safely and was caught by the Pakistan authorities. Videos shared by Pakistan of the ‘big catch’ showed Abhinandan bleeding, but he put a brave front and refused to divulge any information to the Pakistan military.
As a “goodwill gesture”, Pakistan released Abhinandan to de-escalate tension post-IAF’s retaliatory attack targetting the terror camps in the neighbouring country. India had carried out pre-emptive strikes to avenge the killing of 40 CRPF soldiers by a Jaish suicide-bomber at Pulwama in Kashmir on 14 February.